After posting a 14-5-1 record in their first 20 games, the Montreal Canadiens lead the NHL with 29 points. Some people thought they were a fluke last year but they’re proven naysayers wrong. While there is a lot of hockey left to play there is little doubt this team is a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. Here are three reasons why the Canadians will – again – be one of the last teams standing:
Goaltending
Carey Price has won at every level he has played with a Calder Cup, World Junior gold, and an Olympic gold. The only thing left to fill on his resume at this point is a Stanley Cup. One of the league’s truly elite goaltenders, Price proved a year ago how dominant he can be as he followed up a gold medal performance with team Canada by leading Montreal to the Eastern Conference Finals before succumbing to a leg leg injury. Price is good enough to steal games on his own and as long as he is healthy, the Canadiens will have a chance to make a deep playoff run.
Depth
One of the biggest differences between this year’s team and the one that went to the Eastern Conference Finals a year ago is depth. Key offseason additions combined with a rising young core has made Montreal one of the deeper teams in the conference. Alex Galchenyuk, Brendan Gallagher, and Lars Eller have played bigger roles this year while the arrivals of P.A. Parenteau and Jiri Sekac have also made an impact up front. The Canadiens added some veteran depth to their blue line with a trade for Sergei Gonchar after bringing in Tom Gilbert in the offseason in order to give them even more experience and flexibility – especially on the powerplay. The Candiens did lose Thomas Vanek and Daniel Briere but Vanek faded in the playoffs and Briere is long past his prime. The Canadiens have not missed either player. Even the departure of previous captain Brian Gionta hasn’t really thrown them off.
If the Canadiens find a way to add a couple of key players that can be bigger contributors come playoff time, then a team that is already deeper than last year’s will have the potential to be even better.
Star Talent
It’s worth noting that along with their depth, the team’s star talent is only now reaching its prime. While Galchenyuk and Gallagher are still maybe one or two years away from reaching their potential, the core of Price, Subban, and Max Pacioretty have been very good for Montreal and they are among the biggest reasons this team cannot be overlooked. Subban has developed the defensive aspect of his game to become a more complete player and arguably the best defenseman in the league. Meanwhile, Pacioretty has emerged as one of the game’s premier power forwards and one of the best American players on the ice. He should top 30 goals again this season and could push for 40.
The Canadiens don’t have a superstar like Sidney Crosby or Alex Ovechkin but they do have three star players that are only now entering their prime and will continue to be the foundation for this legitimate Stanley Cup contender.
